Daren L Zomerman
Online Editor
Over the summer, the Christenson Family Centre for Sport and Wellness and MacEwan University have received $5.1 million in funding to renovate the swimming pool and to increase the amount of space in the fitness center. As a separate project, the school also refinished the gym floor.
According to Senior Manager Lisa Pittet, The gym floors have received new lines as well as a new finishing that will increase friction. The men’s three-point line was extended by three inches in order to meet the new International Basketball Federation (FIBA) standards. As well, the colours of some of the lines have been changed. “One of the lines was changed from white to grey so that it isn’t so glaring during games,” said Pittet. “But it’s still very noticeable when badminton players are playing their games.”
The gym will be fitted with new curtains in order to divide the gym when multiple activities are going on. TRX (Total Body Resistance Exercise) equipment stations have been added to the gym for training purposes. TRX stations use high-tension cables to create resistance and can be used in a large variety of positions in order to work out different muscles in the body, according to trxtraining.com.
The fitness centre has also received a giant overhaul this summer. According to Pittet, a little under 2,000 square feet has been added to the area which will be called the “Performance Centre.” Along with it, the expanded area will be fitted with a new air-exchange system in order to regulate temperature and air quality, as well as all new fitness equipment.
New machines, strength equipment (like free-weights) and a TRX station have been fit into the new space, said Pittet. The school will also have functional trainers come in who will offer fitness classes to students on campus.
The new Performance Centre will be open to students in the middle of September.
Workers are in the process of completely refurbishing the pool area. There will be a new air-exchange system added in order to maintain air quality. A new mechanical room, pipes, a pump and filter systems are in the process of being put in. “It’s all so that we can meet regulations and code and ensure that we are getting the max proper amount of turnovers that are required to maintain water quality,” Pittet said.
According to Pittet, new lighting will be upgraded as part of MacEwan’s lighting project that took place around the entire school last year.
The pool won’t be available for use until February because of the extent of the renovations that are happening.
The school had been talking about shutting down the pool for the last couple years due to the small amount of users and a high maintenance cost. According to Pittet, a task team did a review of the sports facilities. “The decision by the board was that the swimming pool was an important attribute and the facilities that our students wanted and that the university wanted to keep,” said Pittet.
Students can count on the pool sticking around for a while.
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